Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture, The Baltimore Sun
Maryland farmers participating in the Maryland Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Cover Crop Program planted a record 398,679 acres of cover crops on their farms last fall to control soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff and protect water quality in streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.
One of the most neglected aspects of no-tillage seems to be the proper use of cover crops. Unfortunately, many farmers simply take this part of the total program for granted and unnecessary mistakes are often made.
Mike Starkey admits being a little worried when researchers showed up on his farm in Brownsburg, Ind., 4 years ago, asking for permission to monitor the tile outlets leading from his fields.
The main reason I went into no-till was — as it is for many other no-tillers — due to labor issues. My Dad had a heart attack in 2000 and wasn’t able to help as much anymore. I was just killing myself trying to keep up with farming and the cattle and everything else.
If you are going to use radishes as a cover crop — and you certainly ought to consider them if they fit in your rotation and meet your objectives — you may want to take a special note of one of the side effects of these natural compaction relievers.
Farmers interested in cover crops have a daylong educational session on cover-crop management available to them at the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, to be held Feb. 24-25 at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University in Ada.
Jim and Susie Braddock are enjoying the benefits of converting their farm to no-till. But the journey to get there wasn’t easy. The Braddocks have invested nearly 20 years converting 90% of their 2,400-acre farm in Fredericktown, Ohio, to no-till.
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On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Montag Manufacturing, growers from across the U.S. share their predictions for the upcoming planting season, including one no-tiller who’s “bullish” about a great spring.
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